Itz-31: Difference between revisions
mNo edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
|image= File:Dornier Do 31 in 1968.jpg | |image= File:Dornier Do 31 in 1968.jpg | ||
|image_border= yes | |image_border= yes | ||
|caption= Itzcoyotl Itz 31 in 1970 | |caption= Itzcoyotl-Aketzalli Itz 31 in 1970 | ||
}}{{Infobox aircraft type | }}{{Infobox aircraft type | ||
|type= {{wp|VTOL}} {{wp|Cargo aircraft|transport}} | |type= {{wp|VTOL}} {{wp|Cargo aircraft|transport}} | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
|designer= [[NTT|NTT 144]] | |designer= [[NTT|NTT 144]] | ||
|first flight= 15 February 1969 | |first flight= 15 February 1969 | ||
|introduced= | |introduced= 1973 | ||
|retired= | |retired= | ||
|status= In service | |status= In service | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
|} | |} | ||
The '''Itz-31''' is a {{wp|VTOL|vertical take-off and landing}} jet aircraft designed by the aerospace engineers of [[NTT|NTT 144]] and manufactured by [[Cuauhquetztia]] for the [[Zacapine Armed Forces]]. Its primary role is as a military transport aircraft used by the Zacapine military and its allies, although a modified version serves as a {{wp|Aircraft carrier|carrier-capable}} {{wp|airborne early warning and control}} aircraft with the [[Zacapine Navy]]. | The '''Itz-31''' is a {{wp|VTOL|vertical take-off and landing}} jet aircraft designed by the aerospace engineers of [[NTT|NTT 144]] and manufactured by [[Cuauhquetztia]] for the [[Zacapine Armed Forces]]. Its primary role is as a military transport aircraft used by the Zacapine military and its allies, although a modified version serves as a {{wp|Aircraft carrier|carrier-capable}} {{wp|airborne early warning and control}} aircraft with the [[Zacapine Navy]]. | ||
==Development== | |||
The origins of the Itz-31 can be traced to the late 1960s initiative for the development of the VTOL aircraft for the Zacapine air forces and Naval Aviation units, part of the general military modernization initiative undertaken between 1966 and 1970 aimed at replacing and updating Xolotecate era military equipment. Once the general technology for the vertical takeoff and landing of jet aircraft had been established, it came under the close attention of military authorities in Zacapican who saw the potential for such craft to revolutionize their naval aviation forces and help to immunize their outlying air bases in the Zacapine north and on remote islands from being quickly shut down during an enemy surprise attack. The military wanted a series of modern aircraft that could be hidden under cover or within buildings and then take off with little more than a small launch area like an open field or even a road, and they passed on this project to the aerospace engineers of the NTT program. A trio of aircraft were originally requested, these being a fighter interceptor, a strike fighter and finally a military transport. While the strike fighter would be cancelled almost immediately, development progressed for a time on the experimental {{wp|EWR VJ 101|Pilpiyotzin 101}}, which would be canceled in 1970 by the Zacapine military after the prototype prepared by the NTT engineers failed to meet the expectations of the military examiners. This leaves the Itz-31 as the only survivor of the Zacapine VTOL aircraft initiative, although its development would nevertheless be difficult and experience many delays. | |||
The lead designer for the Itz-31 project would be then-head of the NTT-144 bureau, [[Tochin Itzcoyotl]], a veteran aerospace engineer and one of the pioneers of jet aircraft design in Zacapican. As one of the main proponents for the potential of VTOL technology in the Zacapine engineering establishment, he was the logical choice to spearhead the program. | |||
In order to cope with the difficulties of the design Itzcoyotl elected to delegate parts of the propulsion system design to [[Micol Aketzalli]], a newcomer to the NTT program who had already become embroiled in the activities of NTT 99 and would soon become the strong advocate of many revolutionary ekranoplan projects of NTT 97. Aketzalli had rapidly become a specialist in the matter of VTOL propulsion and turbofan engines, leading Itzcoyotl to deem his expertise potentially critical to saving the Itz-31 project. | |||
Revision as of 17:18, 20 November 2022
| Itz-31 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Itzcoyotl-Aketzalli Itz 31 in 1970 | |
| Role | VTOL transport |
| Manufacturer | Cuauhquetztia |
| Designer | NTT 144 |
| First flight | 15 February 1969 |
| Introduction | 1973 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Zacapine Armed Forces |
The Itz-31 is a vertical take-off and landing jet aircraft designed by the aerospace engineers of NTT 144 and manufactured by Cuauhquetztia for the Zacapine Armed Forces. Its primary role is as a military transport aircraft used by the Zacapine military and its allies, although a modified version serves as a carrier-capable airborne early warning and control aircraft with the Zacapine Navy.
Development
The origins of the Itz-31 can be traced to the late 1960s initiative for the development of the VTOL aircraft for the Zacapine air forces and Naval Aviation units, part of the general military modernization initiative undertaken between 1966 and 1970 aimed at replacing and updating Xolotecate era military equipment. Once the general technology for the vertical takeoff and landing of jet aircraft had been established, it came under the close attention of military authorities in Zacapican who saw the potential for such craft to revolutionize their naval aviation forces and help to immunize their outlying air bases in the Zacapine north and on remote islands from being quickly shut down during an enemy surprise attack. The military wanted a series of modern aircraft that could be hidden under cover or within buildings and then take off with little more than a small launch area like an open field or even a road, and they passed on this project to the aerospace engineers of the NTT program. A trio of aircraft were originally requested, these being a fighter interceptor, a strike fighter and finally a military transport. While the strike fighter would be cancelled almost immediately, development progressed for a time on the experimental Pilpiyotzin 101, which would be canceled in 1970 by the Zacapine military after the prototype prepared by the NTT engineers failed to meet the expectations of the military examiners. This leaves the Itz-31 as the only survivor of the Zacapine VTOL aircraft initiative, although its development would nevertheless be difficult and experience many delays.
The lead designer for the Itz-31 project would be then-head of the NTT-144 bureau, Tochin Itzcoyotl, a veteran aerospace engineer and one of the pioneers of jet aircraft design in Zacapican. As one of the main proponents for the potential of VTOL technology in the Zacapine engineering establishment, he was the logical choice to spearhead the program.
In order to cope with the difficulties of the design Itzcoyotl elected to delegate parts of the propulsion system design to Micol Aketzalli, a newcomer to the NTT program who had already become embroiled in the activities of NTT 99 and would soon become the strong advocate of many revolutionary ekranoplan projects of NTT 97. Aketzalli had rapidly become a specialist in the matter of VTOL propulsion and turbofan engines, leading Itzcoyotl to deem his expertise potentially critical to saving the Itz-31 project.